Prepared by Chinmaya Mission San Jose, CA

Prepared by Chinmaya Mission San Jose, CA

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Questions for Discussions & reflections on

Atma Bodha verse 35-68

1.  Are Existence, Knowledge, Infinitude, and Bliss different from each other? (v-36)

2.  Can mere repetition of “I am Brahman” help me as mentioned in v-37, v-49?

3.  How do verses 38 & 39 indicate the nature of an individual in meditation and while interacting in the world?

4.  How can one give up name, form etc. and abide in Self? Is this giving up physical or intellectual? Can one then continue worldly transactions?

5.  Explain Practice of Self Knowledge as indicated in v-42. What is meant by the term - ‘constantly’?

6.  Even though Self is available all the time, it is not available for experience. Why?

7.  What is needed to Know the Self from which I am never away?(v-44)

8.  Ignorance is nothing but I and mine – Explain. (v-46)

9.  How can we see ‘One in all’ and ‘All in One’? This is possible in dream. Does that mean waking experiences are like dream? (v-47, 48). Discuss.

10.  What are our real enemies? When can we have eternal peace and bliss of Kingdom of God (Rama-Rajya)?

11.  How to remain unaffected by the dharma of conditionings? What do I need to do for this? (v-52)

12.  How are Knowing Brahman a greatest gain, Bliss, Knowledge, experience, and knowing it nothing else shall remain to be known? (v-54, 55) Isn’t it a wonder that I am ignorant of my true nature as Brahman?

13.  What is ‘not this, not this’ in v-57? What is the use of such practice in meditation?

14.  Why do we get elated by little pleasures of life when we ourselves are infinite bliss?

15.  Is everything Brahman or is nothing that we know is Brahman? Which statement is correct? Explain.

16.  I am that light by which everything else is illumined. Explain v-61 using limitations of senses and mind and limitations of all means of Knowledge, except verbal testimony to know the absolute Subject.

17.  Explain the analogy of red hot iron ball with respect to inert body and I-consciousness.

18.  What is Mithya or relatively real? How is everything other than Brahman mithya?

19.  What is the obstacle in knowing the Self which is all-pervading? How to remove it?

20.  Do I need to have divine qualities to know the Self? Can I not just read more books and continue to have anger, lust, jealously etc. and expect realization? (v-66)

21.  I, the Self, am different from mind so what difference does it make by purifying mind which I have nothing to do with me anyway?

22.  How is Self same as Realized individual?

23.  How do such discussions help in our Self-Enquiry? Did this one help you clarify some of your doubts?

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